Electronic apparatus control using a breathing assistance apparatus

Abstract

A breathing gases supply apparatus 1 can comprise a blower 103/105 and breathing circuit for delivering breathing gases to a patient. The apparatus also can comprise a first controller 109, the controller 109 configured to receive input from at least one sensor 110-112 indicative of patient breathing, and a transmitter 201 configured to communicate with the controller 109 and transmit control signals to an electronic apparatus 203. The controller 109 can be configured to determine sleep in a patient based on the occurrence of a breathing pattern indicative of sleep, detected from the input received from the sensor 110-112 and upon determining sleep, operate the transmitter 201 to send a control signal to control an electronic apparatus 203.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A breathing assistance apparatus, comprising:
 a flow generator comprising a blower, the blower configured to generate a flow of breathable gases for delivery to a patient;   a controller, the controller configured to at least control the blower to generate a flow of breathable gases;   a wireless transmitter, the wireless transmitter being in electrical communication with the controller,   wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to:
 receive first data from the controller, the first data comprising one or more of: data indicative of patient breathing; or data relating to parameters of the generated breathable gases; 
 wirelessly transmit the first data to an electronic apparatus remote to the breathing assistance apparatus; and 
   wherein a transmission of the first data is configured to cause or generate an alert, message, or alarm to be displayed on a display of the electronic apparatus.   
     
     
         3 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the flow of breathable gases to a desired flow rate and/or pressure level of the generated breathable gases. 
     
     
         4 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the data indicative of patient breathing comprises a breathing rate of the patient. 
     
     
         5 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the data indicative of patient breathing comprises a pulse rate of the patient. 
     
     
         6 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the controller receives the first data from one or more sensors configured to measure data or parameters indicative of patient breathing and/or or configured to measure data relating to parameters of the generated breathable gases. 
     
     
         7 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more sensors comprises one or more of:
 a flow sensor,   a pressure sensor,   a humidity sensor,   a temperature sensor, and/or   a sound sensor.   
     
     
         8 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a breathing circuit connected or connectable to the flow generator and configured to convey the flow of breathable gases for delivery to the patient. 
     
     
         9 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a patient interface connected or connectable to the breathing circuit and configured to convey the flow of breathable gases for delivery to the patient. 
     
     
         10 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the patient interface is a nasal cannula. 
     
     
         11 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the patient interface is a sealing mask. 
     
     
         12 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the first data via a Bluetooth wireless protocol. 
     
     
         13 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the first data via a Wi-F wireless protocol. 
     
     
         14 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the transmitter is or is part of a transceiver. 
     
     
         15 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the transceiver enables two-way communications between the electronic apparatus and the transceiver, such that the transceiver can receive signals from the electronic apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the transceiver is configured to receive confirmation from the electronic apparatus that the first data was received. 
     
     
         17 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of transmitters or transceivers. 
     
     
         18 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of transmitters or transceivers is configured or adapted to transmit the first data to a different type of electronic apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the data indicative of patient breathing comprises a detected occurrence of a sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) event. 
     
     
         20 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the data indicative of patient breathing further comprises a number of detected occurrences of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) events. 
     
     
         21 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the data indicative of patient breathing further comprises types of the detect occurrences of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) events